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Bolded by me .... I'm not sure if I'm reading this right but ,I take it as : "pour the food to him if you want a big dog". If this is correct I will disagree with you. If I mis understood your sentence I apologize,but it could be misleading to others.

That is harder on the dogs joints ,bones,stamina when training and so on. The pro I train with just had his personal dog blow an ACL and the vet at MU said the biggest factor in these type of sports injuries is weight.

I think you did misunderstand - If I did a lousy job of communicating, I apologize for that.

Last edited by WhisperingHills; 08-12-2013 at 08:05 PM.
Reason: I hate how this site times out my login before i can post a reply!

Bolded by me .... I'm not sure if I'm reading this right but ,I take it as : "pour the food to him if you want a big dog". If this is correct I will disagree with you. If I mis understood your sentence I apologize,but it could be misleading to others.

That is harder on the dogs joints ,bones,stamina when training and so on. The pro I train with just had his personal dog blow an ACL and the vet at MU said the biggest factor in these type of sports injuries is weight.

I think you did misunderstand - If I did a lousy job of communicating, I apologize for that.

I did not mean to suggest that the size of a dog is determined by the amount of food he gets. If you read the other posts I have on this thread, I think (hope) they clarify. I'll try again on the feeding part: A puppy's early development with respect to muscle mass and bone weight are influenced by the quantity and quality of proteins and nutrients made available to him. It is true that a pup given abundant quality food during its first 9 months of age, especially the first six months, will have heavier bone and more muscle mass than a pup that does not get the same quality and amount of food during that fast growth stage of life. Big eating isn't going to make the dog taller or longer - that size is genetically predetermined. Also, please note that I'm talking about early puppy stage of life - not adult, and I do not suggest a dog should become obese at any age. I agree with your friend's vet that an obese dog is more susceptible to certain injuries than a dog at proper weight. However, although I agree obesity can contribute to joint injury in a working dog, I also think that weight alone gets blamed for more joint injuries than it should. I believe that a dog's inherited structural quality is more critical than maintaining "ideal" weight. Everyone, including vets, have a slightly different idea of what "ideal" weight is. Did I clarify, or did I make it worse?? Feed a puppy big, and then as he reaches adult stature, gradually reduce his food amount to maintain the weight you want him to carry.

I understand what you are looking at but, I have to say: One of my genetic litters (a breeding I repeated 3 times) CONSISTENTLY produced LEAN muscular puppies from day one. All the pups: litters of 7,6, and 7 were “non - typically” lean and appeared “fit” very young... Different breedings I have done produced the more rolly-polly pudgy lab look you are talking about.

If you puppy is from a reputable breeder / from genetically sound parentage (health clearance & pedigree wise) / being fed appropriately and vetted appropriately (parasite free etc..) I would just think the pup is pre-disposed to having this look.

I understand what you are looking at but, I have to say: One of my genetic litters (a breeding I repeated 3 times) CONSISTENTLY produced LEAN muscular puppies from day one. All the pups: litters of 7,6, and 7 were “non - typically” lean and appeared “fit” very young... Different breedings I have done produced the more rolly-polly pudgy lab look you are talking about.

If you puppy is from a reputable breeder / from genetically sound parentage (health clearance & pedigree wise) / being fed appropriately and vetted appropriately (parasite free etc..) I would just think the pup is pre-disposed to having this look.

Ok Im confused I have a yellow male that is about 17 weeks and I feed him pro plan and according to the bag and what my breeder told me 3 cups of food a day is good. I also asked the vet if he is ok weight wise and he said yes he looks good not to heavy not too thin so am I feeding him enough or should I go more